Mercy on the playing field

Published: Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 07:54 PM.

Over the years we’ve seen senseless routs in all playing fields or courts. And while none have been as lopsided as 91-0, we still question why it has to happen. There are ways to disguise attempts to hold down scores. One way is agreeing, for example, to use a continuous clock.

But no one wins in a 91-0 game. It creates animosity within the communities, players become even more susceptible to injuries and even the winners feel like losers when the final gun sounds.

If a high school team is winning a football game by 50 points, the winner of the game is no longer in doubt. And isn’t that the reason the game is played? All involved are better served by going home and doing something more productive.

o one wins when the score of a high school football game hits an outrageous 91-0.

Have mercy!

Is it time to begin a conversation in North Carolina concerning a mercy rule in high school football?

Perhaps.

The father of a player in Texas, the state where football is king, has attempted to do just that after his son’s team lost a game by that rather outrageous score mentioned earlier. He tried to classify it as a bullying complaint. The lawsuit required the Aledo High School district to investigate the complaint and prepare a report as required by Texas law. According to MSN, the complaint was dismissed after the district found “no grounds” to support it.

The report likely included the facts that the winning team is averaging 69.3 points a game and is 7-0. During the game in question, the coach reportedly pulled his starters after 21 plays, and the clock ran uninterrupted beginning in the third quarter. Mismatches happen on all levels of play, including in major college stadiums. Coaches can only empty their benches once and it’s simply not fair to ask those who rarely play to simply stop doing their best. The chances for injury also increase when players stop paying attention.

While the allegation of bullying is a stretch, it did start a conversation worth having. For his part, the coach said he approached the referees twice during the game to campaign for a continuous clock. In North Carolina, coaches from both teams must agree before such a measure is taken.

Over the years we’ve seen senseless routs in all playing fields or courts. And while none have been as lopsided as 91-0, we still question why it has to happen. There are ways to disguise attempts to hold down scores. One way is agreeing, for example, to use a continuous clock.

But no one wins in a 91-0 game. It creates animosity within the communities, players become even more susceptible to injuries and even the winners feel like losers when the final gun sounds.

If a high school team is winning a football game by 50 points, the winner of the game is no longer in doubt. And isn’t that the reason the game is played? All involved are better served by going home and doing something more productive.